Antislip device for shoes



June 22, 1937. H. P. CURRAN ANTISLIP DEVICE FOR SHOES Filed Sept. 9, 1936 Patented June 22, 1937 PATENT OFFICE ANTISLIP DEVICE FOR SHOES Harry P. Curran, Bronx, N. Y., assignor of onefourth to Nicholas Lamaina, Corona, N. Y.

Application September 9, 1936, Serial No. 99,925

3 Claims.

My'invention relates to anti-slip devices for shoes and refers particularly to such devices which are adapted to be removably attached to ordinary shoes.

, 5 Among the objects of my invention are the following:-

To provide a unitary device having both heel and sole anti-slip elements.

To maintain the proper positioning of the antislip elements beneath the heel and beneath the sole of the shoe.

To obviate liability of the device becoming detached from the shoe under severe strains of rough use.

To'enable the device to fit upon either a right or left shoe, to be fitted upon shoes of different sizes,-'and upon shoes of difierent shapes.

To provide a device capable of a wide variety of uses under greatly varying conditions.

0 To provide a device by which ordinary shoes may be converted into spike, or studded, shoes and restored again to their original condition,

4T0 have lightness in weight of the device. -To provide a device which is inexpensive to acquire, easy to manipulate, highly effective, collapsible into small compass when not in use, simple in construction, and economical to manufacture.

-. Other objects of my invention will be evident 30 later.

A full understanding of my invention can be obtained from the following particular description, taken with the accompanying drawing, which illustrates one practically operable form 35 of the device of my invention, similar parts being designated by similar numerals.

. Figure 1 is aside elevation of a shoe having one form of the device of my invention attached thereto.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of Figure 1.

V Figure 3 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the detached heel part of the device, shown as turned end-for-end with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a further enlarged bottom perspec- 45 tive view of one of the studded, or spiked, heel plates, having a chain and two link wires connected thereto.

Figure 5 is a similar view of a longitudinal interconnecting strap, having hooks connected 50 thereto.

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the toe clips, or front anchor hooks.

The shoe shown is of a usual type, but the device of my invention is not necessarily restricted 55' thereto. The bottom of the shoe comprises an outsole I0 having a shank portion II, and a heel I2. The upper of the shoe comprises a toe cap I3, vamp I4, and a top I5 having a counter portion I6.

The particular form of the non-slip or safety grip device of my invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing comprises the following parts and elements:

In general, this device comprises a front or sole part, a rear or heel part, and an intermediate integrating part which adjustably connects together and unites the front and rear parts.

The rear or heel part of the device has a straplike anchor member I1. This member is widest at the middle of its length and gradually tapers along its upper edge substantially to its ends, which are rounded. It is so shaped, concavely on its inner face and convexly on its outer face, as to fit snugly and closely at its inner face against the rounded and convexly bulging shoe counter portion I6 and similarly against the lower portions of the sides of the shoe top I5, with its lower contracted edge in line with the top of heel I2, and with its end portions extending forwardly beyond the heel I2 and inwardly beneath the sole shank I I, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The rear anchor member II, along its lower edge, has a series of apertures, the purpose of which will be described later, each of these apertures being shown as formed by means of an eyelet, six such eyeleted apertures being shown in Figure 3 and indicated in Figures 1 and 2.

The ends of the side arms of the member I'I respectively carry the terminal eyelets [8-48. The sides of the member I! respectfully carry front eyelets I9I9, which are opposite each other and disposed rearwardly from the front edge of the shoe heel I2, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The sides of the member I! also respectively carry the rear eyelets 2ll--20, which are opposite each other, rearwardly beyond the middleof the length of the shoe heel I2 and forwardly of its rounded rear edge portion.

This rear anchor member I1 is desirably both flexible and resilient, as well as elastic. It is desirably formed of rubber, or of rubberized fabric, but it may be composed of other more or less suitable materials, such as fabric, leather, or metal.

A plurality of similar circular metal heel plates 2I-2I are provided.

In the particular device shown in the drawing, each of these plates rigidly carries a plurality of sharp metal studs or spikes 22-22, which project from its lower face. Each of these plates or discs is shown as having three such spikes 22-22-22, which are relatively arranged in triangular relation thereon. Each of the discs 2i-2l has a plurality of three marginal 5 apertures 23-23-23, two of which are opposite each other, or 180 apart, with the remaining aperture arcuately midway between the other two, or 90 therefrom.

In the particular device shown in the drawmg, four of the heel plates Zl-Zl are employed, arranged in quadrangular relation, to be positioned beneath the bottom face of the shoe heel l2. The plate 2i shown at the lower and left corner of the quadrangle in Figure 2, and. which is shown at the upper right corner in Figure 3, may be conveniently consideredvas be-- ing the plate 23 shown in Figure 4.

The respectively longitudinally spaced plates Zl-Zl of the front and rear pairs of plates are connected together by a pair of similar longitudinally extended wire links E l-24, having terminal eyes which engage through the intermediate apertures 23-23 of the respective front and rear plates 2 i-Zl, the four heel plates 2 l-2l 25 being positioned so these apertures are at the rear for the front pair of plates and at the front for the rear pair'of plates. l

The plates 21-2! of the front pair are connected to each other, and the plates Zl-Zl of the rear pair are connected to each other, re-

spectively, by a pair of similar transverse wire links 25-25, having terminal eyes engaging in one of the two opposite apertures of each of the four plates.

Flexible means are'provi'ded "by which each of the four heel plates 2l-2l is separately connected to the anchor member l'i.

A pair of similar front chains 26-26 have their upper terminal links engaged respectively in the fronteyelets ill-I9 of the anchor member I l, and each having its lower terminal link.

engaged in an aperture 23 which is opposite to the aperture 23 engagedby the eye of the front transverselink 25, as'to the respective front plates A pair of similar rear chains 21-21 have their upper terminal links respectively engaged in the rear eyelets 23-20 of the anchor member H, with each of these chains having its lower termi'nal link engaged in an aperture 23 of the respective rear heel plates 2l-2l, such aperture being opposite to the one engaged by the eye of the rear transverse link 25.

The anchor chains 26-23 and ill-2i are of I the proper length to allow for the liftproduced by the shoe heel l2, as well as also for the desired amount of inward spacingof the heel plates 28-2! from the opposite edges of the heel at the sides of the shoe, as is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2, taken together.

Means for holding the above described heel part of the device firmly in place upon the shoe will be described later. l The front or sole part of the device comprises a' group of similar circular metal sole plates or discs 23-28, shown as four in number in the particular device illustrated.

In the particular device, shown in the drawing, each of these plates 28-28 rigidly carries a plurality of three sharp metal -'studs or spikes. 23-2 9-29, which project from its lower face and are in triangular relation.

Sole'plates which are duplicates of the heel 7 plates 2l-2l can be substituted for the sole plates 28-23, the slight illustrated difference in the sole plates 28-28 being noted later.

Means are provided for securely positioning the sole plates 28-28 beneath the outsole In of the shoe, in spaced relation in an efficient arrangernent.

Figure 2 shows two of the sole plates 28-28 as positioned beneath the narrower front or toe portion of the shoe sole H], with two other of these plates positioned farther back so as to come substantially beneath the ball of the foot rearwardly of the toes.

Right and left anchor hooks or toe clips 30-30 hook over the edges of the tapering toe portion of the shoe sole Ill with their substantially flat shanks extending inwardly and rearwardly beneath the lower face of the sole, and there each having two apertures, although a single larger aperture would sufiice, as will be evident later.

The two forwardly positioned toe plates 28-28 are connected together by a transverse link 3|, and a pair of short transverse links 32-32 respectively connect these plates with the anchor hooks 38-33, by means of one of the mentioned apertures in each of the latter.

A pair of rearwardly converging links 33-33 respectively connect the right and left anchor hooks 36-38, by means of the other aperture in each of the latter, with the right and left rearwardly positioned sole plates 28-28.

Another pair of links 34-34, which converge rearwardly in a V formation, respectively connect these rear right and left plates 28-28 with an eye 35 formed upon the forward end of the shank portion of a slender or Wire-like hook 36.

Each of the wire links 3i, 32-32, 33-33, and 3d-3 l forms its attaching connection by means of an eye formed upon each of its opposite ends, in that respect similar to the heel part links E l-2d and 25-25, and as shown in Figure 2 for the right side links 33 and 34.

It will be noted that all of these seven front links taken together form a triangle. In the arrangement shown, itis to be noted that each of the sole plates 28-28 is required to have only two marginal apertures, which are diametrically opposite each other, for the reception of the link eyes, although additional and unused apertures could do no harm, thus allowing the heel plates 2I-2l to be used for sole plates, if so desired or found convenient.

The ends of the side arms of the rear or heel part anchor member I! are connected together by utilizing their terminal eyelets I 8-I 8. For

this purpose, there is provided a connecting mem- 1 her which is shown as. a rather long wire-like double hook having an intermediate shank portion 3?, a long rear hook 38 and a shorter hook 39 at its forward end. The longer hook 38 passes through both of the terminal eyelets IS-l 8 of the rear anchor member I T, as shown in Figure 2 and indicated in Figure This rear hook member 37-38-39'virtually forms an element in the heel part of the device, similarly in that respect to the front hook member 35-36 of the front or sole part of the device. If desired, the longer hook 38 may be closed, to form an eye having engagement through the eyelets l8-I8. In such case, this rear hook member would have a permanently attached connection with the rear anchor member l1.

With the ends of its arms thus permanently connected together, it is evident from Figures 1 and 2 that the anchor member I1 can be readily slipped upwardly over the shoe heel l2 and into its'proper place on the shoe, particularly in view of the fact that the anchor member 11 is resilient and elastic. I

The intermediate part of thedevice, which adjustably unites I and integrates the above described heel and sole parts of the device, consists of a longitudinally extended interconnecting strap 40, which is desirably of metal, although other materials could'be used.

This strap member 40 is slightly bent in opposite directions along curved lines longitudinally thereof, so as to conform to and have a snug fit longitudinally against the curved under face of the shoe sole l0 and its shank portion II, as clearly shown in .Figures 1 and 5.

This interconnecting strap member 40 is pro vided longitudinally thereof with a series of perforations M-M, this series being shown as extending throughout the length of the strip or strap 4,0.

The hook 35, of the front or sole'part of the device, can be removably engagedzthrough any desired one of the perforations 4l-4I'in the strap 40, and similarly the hook 39, belonging to the rear or heel part 'of the device, can be removably engaged through any perforation at the rear of the one engaged by the front hook 35, as is clearly evident from Figures 2 and 5.

The operation of the illustrated and above described device of my invention is as follows:

The described adjustability or different positioning of the hooks 35 and 39 along the interconnecting member 40, together with the resiliency and elasticity of the rear anchor member l1, enable both the sole part and the heel part of the device to be firmly and securely held in place upon the shoe, with the heel plates 2l-2l and the sole plates 2828 properly positioned, and without liability of the device becoming dislodged or detached from the shoe.

The device is capable of being similarly firmly and securely held in position upon shoes of different sizes, or, upon shoes having parts which are more or less differently shaped, especially as to their soles and heels.

The drawing toward each other of the front and rear parts of the device causes the toe clips 3030 to establish and maintain a firm and secure anchorage upon the tapered portion of the shoe sole, and causes the rear anchor member I! to grip tightly the heel portion of the shoe and prevents it from being dislodged downwardly past the shoe heel II.

No straps or strings to pass over the instep or top of the foot are required.

The device is capable of being easily and quickly secured upon and removed from the shoe.

In its detached or removed condition the device is thoroughly collapsible, so as to occupy but little space, and so as to be conveniently carried.

The device for the left shoe is a duplicate of that shown in the drawing as attached to a right shoe, so there can be no inconvenience or confusion, as the two devices of a pair are interchangeable.

The device is efiective for use under any condition where safety against slipping is needed, such as upon ice, upon slippery pavements, upon slippery or yieldable earth, for hiking, in mountain climbing, in running, in games such as baseball, football, hockey, golfing, et cetera.

The device of my invention enables any ordinary pair of shoes to be converted into spiked shoes, having a complete complement of heel and sole spikes, and to be converted back again into ordinary shoes.

It enables people to have spiked shoes who are financially unable to afford to buy special permanently spiked shoes, as well as saves expense for those having more funds but only occasional need for spiked shoes.

The device is light in weight and hence not cumbersome to the feet, nor tiresome.

For many sports and games, such as above mentioned, there is usually a clubhouse for the field, course, track, or stadium. Such clubhouses commonly have highly polished floors, and sometimes expensive carpets and rugs. Such floors, or fioor coverings, of course would be badly damaged by metal spikes or studs.

Under such circumstances, in order to provide for the players or athletes entering the clubhouse while still wearing the device of my invention, the ground-gripping studs, such as 22-22 and 2929, may consist of relatively soft material, such as rubber, and may be either of the pointed form shown or of a different shape.

Also, if found desirable, the plates 2l2l and 28-48 may have a bottom outer covering of rubber, or something similar, especially at the corners of their edges.

It is to be noted that the device of my invention contributes safety, efficiency, convenience, economy, practicability, and effectiveness.

It is believed to be now evident that the device of my invention is distinguished from other inventions and devices and constitutes a distinct advance in the art to which it relates.

It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the construction shown in the drawing and above particularly described, within the principle and scope of my invention as defined in, the appended claims.

I do not strictly limit myself to specific details of construction, nor to size or shape or materials, nor to specific proportions or relationship of parts, these being given simply as a means for clearly describing and explaining the device of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In an anti-slip device for shoes, in combination, a group of ground-gripping heel elements adapted to be positioned beneath the heel of a shoe in spaced relation from each other, a plurality of links connecting said elements together, an anchor member to extend around the heel portion of the shoe and adapted to have anchoring engagement therewith, a plurality of flexible members connecting said elements to said anchor member, a group of ground-gripping sole elements adapted to be positioned beneath the sole of the shoe in spaced relation from each other, a pair of anchor hooks engageable respectively with the opposite edges of the shoe sole, a plurality of links connecting said sole elements together and to said anchor hooks, said anchor member having side portions to extend forwardly beyond the front of the shoe heel and adapted to extend beneath the shank portion of the shoe sole, and interconnecting tensioning means connecting a plurality of the links of said group of sole elements to the forwardly extended side portions of said anchor member and adapted to maintain said anchor hooks and said anchor member in anchoring engagement with the shoe.

2. In an anti-slip device for shoes, in combination, a group of ground-gripping heel elements adapted to be positioned beneath the heel of a shoe in spaced relation from each other, a plupair of anchor hooks engageable respectively with.

10 the opposite edges of the-shoe sole, a plurality of links connecting said sole elements together and to said anchor hooks, said anchor-member hav;- ing side portions to extend forwardly beyond the front of the shoe heel and adapted to;extend 15 beneath the shank portion of the shoe sole, and interconnecting tensioning means connecting a plurality of the links of said group of sole elements to the forwardly extended'side portions of saidanchor member and adapted to maintain 20 said anchor hooks and said anchor member in anchoring engagement Withthe shoe, said tensioning means comprising a longitudinally extended strap member, and means whereby the effective interconnecting length of said strap 25 member canbe adjustably varied. 3. In an anti-slip device for shoes, in combination, a group of ground-gripping heel elements adapted tobe positioned beneath the heel of a shoe in spacedrelation 'from each other, a plurality of links connecting said elements together, an anchor member to extend around the heel portion of the shoe and adapted to have anchoring engagement therewith, a plurality of flexible members connecting said elements to said anchor member, a group of ground-gripping sole elementsadaptedto'be positioned beneath the sole of the shoe in spaced'relation from each other, a pair of anchor hooks engageable respectively with the opposite edges ofthe shoe sole,'a plurality of of flexible elastically resilient 

